Compost for Yourself and Sheboygan’s Sake!
About 25% of all household waste is food or yard waste which can be changed into valuable
compost that nourishes garden and lawn soils. Composting food and yard waste enhances soils, lessens
methane gas pollution and cuts down on a Sheboygan’s landfill charges.
Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic plant matter into a rich, soil-like
material with the help of millions of worms, mites, fungi and microscopic organisms. This natural
process can be done in a backyard (easy or mixed composting) or even inside (vermicomposting).
Easy or mixed composting needs three elements:
1. chopped materials so that breakdown goes faster
2. a mix of “greens” and ”browns”
3. moisture as needed to keep compost pile moist as a wrung out sponge
“Greens” can be fruits, vegetables (cooked or uncooked) breads, grains, coffee grounds, filters, grass
clippings, and tea bags. “Browns” can be cotton or wool rags, eggshells, vacuum lint, nut shells,
fireplace ashes, sawdust, hay, straw, chopped yard trimmings (leaves, twigs, branches), houseplants,
used potting soil, wood chips, shredded newspaper, cardboard rolls, and clean, shredded paper.
Mix these three elements in a backyard 3’X3’X3’ wire mesh bin or contained pile. Stir about
once a week, or in the case of a pile, just allow to settle. First compost will be ready in 12-18 months
and will continue to produce as long as green and brown material is added.
Vermicomposting involves a bin at least 18” deep, biodegradable bedding (shredded paper or
cardboard) red worms and food waste. Red worms can be purchased from growers, bait shops and
some garden centers. The worms love any kind of food waste as long as it is not dairy, meat, bones or
any animal feces or cat litter. Vermicomposting can be done inside as long as there is good balance of
bedding, worms and food waste.
Dairy, fats, meat, feces, materials containing chemicals and pesticides, and cat litter should NOT
go into any type of composting. This material decays very quickly, can be harmful and makes the
compost stink. Good compost will smell like rich, earthy soil.
Finished compost should mixed into garden soil to increase humus and nutrients adding to soil
fertility. Remaining compost helps break down new matter added to the composting bin or pile.
Composting enriches your garden, cooperates with nature and saves on Sheboygan’s landfill costs.
For an illustrated poster on composting, contact Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources – Bureau
of Waste and Material Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 – (608)266-2111, and ask for
“Compost Grows.”